574 replies to this topic

[Advent]

This has now been replaced with a new, improved version: http://www.xpmediace...ter-studio.html


Recently I decided I wanted to put some of my most used media center plugins onto the start menu where they are more accessible (especially on the mini menu when viewing content). I soon discovered that doing so required a number of confusing registry keys, and I couldn't find a tool that would do it for me - so, being a software engineer, I decided to write one myself!

This is the result - basically you just drag entry points from the list at the bottom onto either one of two custom strips or one of the predefined menus (1 entry point each for Music, Pictures and Videos and Tv and Movies). You can edit the names of the custom strips by clicking on them. You can remove items from menus by dragging them onto the trash can in the lower right.

It *should* also play nicely with any custom menus you have set up already.

I hope someone finds this useful!

P.S. Another reason I did this was as a way of learning WPF and its capabilities, so if it seems a little pimped for what it does, that's why

Latest Version: http://rapidshare.co...ender_0.4.3.msi

Edited by logifuse, 15 September 2009 - 07:16 PM.

[ryan93]

Hey

First id just like to say, thankyou soo much for making this its exactly what i wanted, however whenever i try to run it i get a rather large error message, sorry cant show u a picture at the moment. i have ne experience in programming but from what i saw in the error message it appears to be a problem with ur code,

Thanks

ryan

[Advent]

I'm sure it is a problem with my code, Ryan I tested it on both of my machines, but there's bound to be things I haven't found - if you can grab a screenshot of the error (or even just tell me what the first line or two of the error says) and send it to me, i'll fix it up and repost it for you.

Also, I probably should have mentioned that you'll most likely have to run the program as administrator (right click, Run as administrator) because it needs write access to the registry.

[aflanagan]

I get this error when i use it.

Attached Files

•  Picture1.jpg   53.53K   1380 downloads

[Advent]

Thanks, aflanagan. I still can't reproduce this (different versions of .NET framework?!) but I think i've fixed it anyway. I've uploaded a new version to the first post.

[Auldar]

Would this utility allow me to put "My Video's" in the same menu item as "Recorded TV"?

[Advent]

I'm afraid not

What MS allows you to do is pretty limited - you're allowed two custom strips with 5 items each, and you can add 1 item each to the three built in strips mentioned above. The items that you can add must all be add-ins. Unfortunately you can't move the built in items around.

[fg6]

Fatastic idea mate, thx so much for puting your time into this. im very keen to get a go but i also get an error when tring to install. heres a picture of the error if it helps ya

cheers

 mc customiser error.jpg   48.29K   653 downloads

[Auldar]

Oh well, thanks anyway

[Advent]

fg6, thanks for reporting that - once again, the new version in the top post should fix your issue.

[eTe]

Thanks for this wonderful utility! Really making life easier!

But what would be really nice would to be able to add links to 3rd party apps outside of media center. Like I would like to add links from within media center to Guitar Hero III and Fifa 08. But from what i have read you need to make a container .exe, and i have no clue what how to make it. But it would be nice to have a (this) program to make it for me


THX again!

[Advent]

Cheers eTe, glad you're finding it useful

Have you tried EMUCenter? You could put a link to EMUCenter on your menu and launch your games from there. If you really want to open your games directly from the MC menu, you should be able to do this by creating the appropriate registry keys (I don't think you'll need a container exe) - this is how the games that come with MC work. I'll look at adding this functionality to MC Menu Customiser, but in the meantime you might like to try fiddling the registry yourself, using one of the built in games as a template.

[dgaust]

Advent,

Just a quick question about the program. Basically when does it save the reg key changes? When it closes, or another time as I couldn't find an apply or save button anywhere.

Basically I had a quick look this morning trying to add myTV to my TV strip but it wouldn't take, I can't recall if I had closed the app but I did close and restart the MCE interface with no effect.

[Advent]

It makes the registry changes as you make the changes in the app (i.e. immediately, no need to apply/save/close).

You can check the registry to make sure that the changes are being written. Dropping an icon onto the "TV & Movies" slot should create a key under:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Extensibility\Categories\Services\Movies
(either there or ...\Categories\Services\TV, can't remember off the top of my head)

The TV & Movies slot is a bit of an exception, as you can only have one icon on the menu, but there are two places that it can come from. Do you already have an addin icon on the TV & Movies strip? Does it work ok when you try to add the myTV icon to another menu?

[dgaust]

I did have another plugin there, but it was added through your tool as opposed to through the MCE interface.

I'll have another look tonight, as I said it was only a quick look.

Cheers.